Saira Malik
"Saira." Came in Bhai's voice, followed by a knock. "Bachi..."
"Door's open, bhai," I tell him, plucking out my earphones. And setting my laptop aside.
"What were you doing?" He asked casually, sitting in front of me on the bed.
"Watching 365 days." I joke, maintaining a poker face.
"Ah! Boring thi ending uski. I fell asleep in the second hour." He replied nonchalantly.
A gasp left my mouth. "Bhai! Aap... 365 days... ASTAGHFIRALLAH! Ye sunne se pehle me behri kyu nai hogai?!" I exclaim, dramatically covering my ears.
He rolled his eyes, mimicking my drama.
"Did... did something happen between you and Caleb?" He asked after a brief silence, making me gulp at his question. He looked at me like, he knew everything that happened but wanted to hear me say it.
"N-nothing happened. W-why?"
"Are you sure? Because you acted differently when I told Caleb was coming for dinner tomorrow."
"I did? Um... I didn't pay attention to what you were saying. I was so into DDLJ."
"Bachi..." He uttered, his voice dripping with a warning.
I give him a hard look, contemplating whether to tell him or not. Two things could happen to me if I decide to tell him.
One, that he takes it easy after I tell him there was nothing from my side.
Two, the exact opposite of taking it easy. A flying chappel, belan and... jhadu greeting me.
Man! That would be so painful. And... who would hit me?
Ma...? 99.9%
Papa...? 50-50
Bhai...? 0-10 %
It might turn upside down as well.
Ma...0-10%
Papa... 50-50
And...bhai... 99.9%
"Saira." Someone shook me by the shoulders, bringing me back to reality.
Bhai's face greeting me. The fear of facing my family's wrath, had me panicked. I gulped loudly, realizing that if they get to know it from someone else the situation would surely be uglier than if I tell them the whole story myself.
"Bhai, please mujhe mat maro. Meri koi ghalti nai hai, bhai. I didn't ever think of Caleb that way. Wallah. I had no idea, uske American dimag me ye sab chalra tha. Please, please, please. I'm sorry. Very sorry. I won't ever go near him. I won't talk to him. I won't call him. I'll block his number. Delete his contact. Aap--aap mera phone bhi rakhlo. But, please don't hit me." I plead, clasping my hands together.
"Hush, Saira."
I stop at once, looking at the smile creeping on his face. He scooted close to me, cupping my face, and pecking my forehead. I shut my eyes, living the last moments of my life.
This is it. I'm gone. Dunya walo me jarahi hoo. Duao me yaad rakhna--
"I'm not hitting you." He started. "I'd never hit my sister. And. . . about what happened with Caleb, I know everything. Just wanted to hear you say it." I blink at him, trying to comprehend the words leaving his mouth.
Of course, Caleb would've told him everything. The loyal best friend he is.
"I knew he had feelings for you. He approached me first, telling me about it. He didn't know what to do, so. . . I told him to propose to you."
YOU ARE READING
Hona Tha Pyaar ✔
Humor"I was on a goddamn vacation in this God-forsaken place. I never meant to get engaged to you. I never meant any of this to happen. You. Me. Us. None of it!" That was Saira Malik's life in summary. Once a happy-go-lucky girl fantasized about two thin...
